Gift opening

My friend did it, 5 years ago. She was the first that I knew it was a "thing". It was at her parent's house the next day and her parents and siblings, grooms parents and siblings, wedding party and a few aunts and uncles (the ones she was closest with) were there.

She didn't really like it, because she had to fake this enthusiasm she wasn't feeling after little sleep. (they had registered so she was happy with all the gifts, but being happy and showing it are two different things!)

We are just opening our gifts at our place the next day. Only the two of us and our cats are invited because we are going to be so tired and just want to relax after the wedding. I’ve never heard of it being another event related to the wedding

I think they are usually at the bride's parents the next day. I've only been to one.

I think it is a bit of a strange idea. Think of having 100+ guests and then having to open everything in front of your guests. I would just find it kind of awkward. If I was the guest, I would be bored out of my mind watching someone open 100+ cards/gifts. I would skip it.

My friend kinda did one the day after, though it wasn't a formal thing. They had family, out of town guests, ad bridal party over for lunch the day after. They had just bought a house so it was a chance for people to see their place. There was food, people were outside, people were inside. The couple were opening gifts, but not everybody was watching per se. It was really nice and casual!

There was a bride who had this done and she had the family stay the next day to attend the gift opening.

This event isn't as big as the day you celebrate and no one needs to be around for it. Your just going through your list and you have to write down the names and gifts given. I'm sure everyone will be tired and bored after some time. Skip it overall.

My mom asked me about six times to do a gift opening the next day, and I kept insisting no. I am not going to sit in front of people and open card after card after card (we expect mostly cash gifts, as that is the type of friends we have). I remember sitting through my sister's gift opening at her wedding - it was paaaaainful. Ugh. No thank you.

This is the first I'm hearing about "gift opening". I personally don't like the idea of doing that in front of a lot of people just in case your true opinions come out about what it is. I know that sounds a little mean, but I think that a married couple should be opening up their gifts alone.

I've never heard of doing this - and I would skip it. For the most part people don't really want to see what other people got for gifts. Think of Christmas, most people are only interested in seeing what they got because they know what they got for the other people. It's not to say that some people won't want to see the look on your face when you open something though, which if you are interested in doing so I would put a little sign at the card table/ guestbook table letting them know when and where it will be.

I have never been to a gift opening nor have I heard of anyone doing them these days. I'm not doing one since we don't have a registry so we'll mostly get cards and cash probably, and that'd be pretty boring to watch lol.

If you do want to have one, no means in stopping you! I'd have it the day after too, but maybe try for early afternoon to give people a chance to recover. I'd invite the same people as the rehearsal dinner, but definitely have the out of town guests there.

I think it's a cute idea! But like Valerie said I honestly wouldnt expect a lot of people to show up the next morning depending on how hard you go at your wedding! I also just had my Bridal Shower and opened gifts and honestly....its so hard to really absorb what you're opening when you're trying to rush through things... when I got home and went through everything again on my own I could read and appreciate everything so much more! I plan to do gifts with my FH the next day just the 2 of us so we can really go through and appreciate everything properly!

I've been to one years ago, it was the most brutal morning (very hungover) ever. It was hosted the next morning by the Bride's parents. They served a brunch buffet for immediate family, the wedding party and OOT guests. The bride and groom basically just opened gifts the same way one would during a shower.

IMO, I honestly don't think it's necessary, as I had nothing to contribute other than my reaction to seeing each gift. I guess it's an excuse to thank everyone again, and see your OOT guests before they head back (if they haven't already).